Hello,

Would anyone be so kind as to share any reliable resources to help with identifying a pest in my young Eggplants? I unfortunately do not have access to a camera at this time, and so would like to try to get a tentative diagnosis before I can bring a sample to a garden center (my car is in the shop awaiting a part, and I live in the boonies). Plus, its interesting reading and I'd like the information for future reference regardless. I've searched quite a bit (2 hours worth at this point), but cannot find anything that looks right.

Failing an online resource, is there a good book you could recommend? The local library is pretty pitiful, but I can still order in books.

And just in case somebody might have a guess or two...

Location: Windsor-Detroit area (Canadian side.)

The Plant: Eggplant/Aubergine. No variety listed.

Background: Container garden (on a 2nd floor patio), all plants are in a 3:1 mix of standard potting soil and composted sheep sugar. The soil is fresh out of the bag, but the pots are used (although washed/bleached thoroughly). All plants are rather close togeather (the containers are touching) but only one eggplant is infected (I have two). There is also 1 Roma Tomato, 2 California Wonders (Bell Pepper) and 2 Sweet Hungarian peppers (banana) nearby.

The 'bumps' (Eggs? Larvae?): Multiple orangish-red raised bumps on some of the leaves. They are 1-2mm long and rod shaped. Various sizes, uniform colour.

At this point, they are almost exclusively on the new growth at the top of the plant (newest three leaves) and are focused near the stem instead of the edge or the entire leaf. Most of the 'bumps' are on the top of the leaf, but some can be seen on the bottom. I'm reasonably sure these are either eggs or larvae/pupae.

The Adult(?): I have seen one adult: it rather reminded me of a beetle. Its body was completely orange (even the legs) and a little shiny. It was (eyeballing it) 3-4mm long, 1-2mm wide but then again I was eyeballing it. Six legs plus two antennae - I'm not 100% sure how the head is set in relation to the body, but if I had to guess I'd say its either at the same height or lower.

Could anyone hazard a guess, or point me in the right direction? Should I be worried about it spreading to my other plants?

And to add insult to injury, I also see white things that look frighteningly similar to pictures of whitefly eggs... but only on this one poor plant. Good grief!